HEAD CHEF – PASTRY, BAKERY, R&D

LSE Attrus; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bakery establishment in Johor Bahru is seeking a highly skilled Head Chef – Pastry, Bakery & R&D to lead its division. This role is pivotal in driving product innovation, ensuring the highest quality standards, and overseeing Halal-compliant operations. The ideal candidate will have 5–8 years of experience in pastry & bakery, with a focus on creativity, leadership, and operational excellence. If you are passionate about crafting exceptional baked goods and leading a team, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years experience in pastry & bakery, 3 years in a senior role.
• Strong background in product development and menu creation.
• Exceptional creativity and technical expertise in pastries and modern desserts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Pastry, Bakery & R&D team to develop high-quality products.
• Drive innovation through new menu items and seasonal products.
• Implement SOPs and quality control measures for production.

Skills

Product development

Leadership

Creativity in pastry techniques

Food costing

Operational efficiency

Education

Professional culinary qualifications in Pastry & Bakery

Job description

We are seeking an innovative, highly skilled, and experienced Head Chef – Pastry, Bakery & R&D to lead our Pastry & Bakery division. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving product innovation, ensuring premium quality standards, optimizing production efficiency, and overseeing Halal-compliant operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage the Pastry, Bakery & R&D team to develop high-quality products aligned with brand standards and market trends.
• Drive innovation by researching, conceptualizing, and testing new menu items, seasonal products, and signature creations.
• Oversee production operations to ensure consistency, excellence in taste, texture, and presentation across all pastry and bakery items.
• Establish and implement SOPs, recipes, workflow processes, and quality control measures.
• Implement cost-optimization strategies through effective ingredient sourcing, waste reduction, production planning, and utilization of raw materials without compromising quality.
• Ensure all pastry and bakery production adheres to Halal requirements, including ingredient selection, storage, handling, and preparation processes.
• Work closely with the Halal Committee to maintain documentation, support internal audits, and ensure ongoing compliance with JAKIM Halal standards.
• Conduct product calibration, shelf-life testing, and continuous improvement for existing offerings.
• Train, mentor, and develop team members to uphold professionalism, creativity, and operational discipline.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene standards, and regulatory requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience (5–8 years or more) in pastry & bakery, with at least 3 years in a senior or head-of-department role.
• Strong background in product development, R&D, and menu creation within bakery/pastry operations.
• Exceptional creativity and technical expertise in pastries, breads, cakes, and modern dessert techniques.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with the ability to inspire and guide a team.
• Strong understanding of food costing, production planning, and operational efficiency.
• Up-to-date with global bakery trends, techniques, and ingredient innovation.
• Professional culinary qualifications in Pastry & Bakery are preferred.